Stuart Hogg will start at fly-half for Glasgow Warriors for the first time in the Guinness PRO12 match away to Benetton Treviso this afternoon.
Stuart Hogg
Despite having moved to the stand-off position during games and starting there for the British & Irish Lions, it is the first time Hogg will wear the Warriors number 10 shirt.
Rob Harley could make his 150th appearance for the club from the bench and would join an elite group of six other players who have reached that milestone.
With Hogg moving up field, Peter Murchie starts at full-back and will be flanked by Tommy Seymour and Junior Bulumakau, who has scored in both of his appearances for Glasgow so far this season, with the most recent coming in the win over Edinburgh Rugby at BT Murrayfield on Monday.
Nick Grigg starts at outside centre and was named Man of the Match in Glasgow’s previous trip to Italy this season in the win over Zebre. He once again teams up with Sam Johnson in the centres.
Combining with Hogg, Henry Pyrgos will captain the side from scrum-half.
In the pack, Gordon Reid and D’arcy Rae return to the squad with Rae facing the team he played for on loan. Pat MacArthur starts at hooker.
Tim Swinson and Brian Alainu’uese are the locks, while at blind-side flanker Adam Ashe makes his first start of the season after making his return from injury from the bench last Monday at BT Murrayfield.
Chris Fusaro starts on the opposite flank and Ryan Wilson returns to complete the back-row packing down at number 8.
On the bench Fiji international scrum-half Nemia Kenatale is in line to make his Warriors debut.
Simone Favaro will be eager to feature against his former club and Harley, Alex Allan, Corey Flynn and Zander Fagerson are the other forwards replacements. Rory Clegg and Sean Lamont complete the 23.
Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend said: “Stuart (Hogg) has covered at 10 a number of times this season and ran in the position a lot at training. He has all the attributes to play well there and we’re looking forward to seeing him getting even more touches of the ball this weekend.
“Welcoming Adam (Ashe) back to the starting XV is a boost. He has worked hard to get himself back fit and looked sharp when he came on at BT Murrayfield.
“The squad is in a good place and have recovered well from the game against Edinburgh, as we have trained with real intensity this week. We will need that intensity over in Italy against a side that are full of confidence having also won their previous three games.
“It is worth highlighting a potential milestone for Rob Harley who could make his 150th appearance from the bench. Rob is one of the hardest workers in our squad and has been a consistent high performer for a number of seasons. We look forward to seeing him go on to become the most capped Warrior in the club’s history.”
Glasgow Warriors team to play Benetton Treviso in the Guinness PRO12 at Stadio Comunale di Monigo, Saturday 31 December live on BBC ALBA (kick-off 1.05pm UK time). You can also follow the action on Twitter @GlasgowWarriors. Glasgow Warriors appearances in brackets:
15. Peter Murchie (108)
14. Junior Bulumakau (6)
13. Nick Grigg (8)
12. Sam Johnson (20)
11. Tommy Seymour (93)
10. Stuart Hogg (93)
9. Henry Pyrgos CAPTAIN (115)
1. Gordon Reid (105)
2. Pat MacArthur (144)
3. D’arcy Rae (13)
4. Tim Swinson (88)
5. Brian Alainu’uese (6)
6. Adam Ashe (30)
7. Chris Fusaro (115)
8. Ryan Wilson (121)
Replacements
16. Corey Flynn (10)
17. Alex Allan (37)
18. Zander Fagerson (43)
19. Rob Harley (149)
20. Simone Favaro (26)
21. Nemia Kenatale (0)
22. Rory Clegg (13)
23. Sean Lamont (106)
Players who have made 150+ appearances for Glasgow: Graeme Morrison (177), Al Kellock (157), Jonny Petrie (155), Dougie Hall (153), John Barclay (152) and Moray Low (150).
Not available due to injury: Scott Cummings (shoulder), Ryan Grant (concussion), Peter Horne (knee/ankle), Rory Hughes (knee), Lee Jones (concussion/shoulder), Greg Peterson (shoulder), Sila Puafisi (concussion), Leonardo Sarto (shoulder), Tjiuee Uanivi (shoulder) and Richie Vernon (shoulder).
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